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WEDDING

Snowy Winter Wedding Day at The Longbranch in L’Erable, Illinois | Holly + Kolton

Holly and Kolton's snowy winter wedding day at The Longbranch in L'erable with Chicagoland wedding photographer Kara Evans Photographer.

January 21, 2021

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Hey, I’m Kara! A wedding and family photographer based in Kankakee, Illinois! Whether I’m photographing your wedding day or everyday milestones and memories as a family, this job is my joy.

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Our first wedding of 2021 is in the books! Holly and Kolton’s winter wedding day in Iroquois County kicked off our 2021 wedding season. After wedding changes and pivots, we are just so happy for this couple to officially be part of the married club. It’s been a crazy few months for them but THEY’RE MARRIED despite it all. We’re excited to share their winter wedding day on the blog today!

From the Couple

Kolton and I met in high school and had mutual friends. He is two years younger than me, but when you go to a small enough school like we did, everyone tends to blend together. The proposal, or lack thereof, took three attempts with a few hiccups. I ended up putting it on my own finger three months later in the store. 

We have one dog together, Oakley, and he is our baby. Oakley is a Yorkie and keeps us on our toes. We love to eat out at different restaurants together, but we usually end up at The Longbranch, El Mexicano, or Monicals. Those are our top favorite restaurants around Iroquois and Kankakee County. One place that we love and go to every year is Panama City Beach, Florida. It is a place Kolton’s family has been visiting for years and where we go during Spring Break. We love it!

The Wedding Day

Ever since I met Holly and Kolton, we’ve been saying that a dusting of snow would be perfect for their wedding day… And our dreams came true! An ice storm followed by a late-night snowfall the day before their wedding made their snowy winter wedding dreams come to life!

We started the day off at Frake Farms where everyone was getting ready – a very close family friend of Holly and Kolton’s. We are forever grateful they welcomed us to their property for both engagement AND wedding photos of the couple. And one thing is for sure… This family is amazing; Holly and Kolton are lucky people to have them in their life!

Before we knew it, we were wrapping up getting ready and setting up the first look! Throughout the afternoon of shooting photo and video, Kyle and I enjoyed spending time with Holly and Kolton’s most favorite people and their super fun wedding party. The wedding party braved the cold and snow and ice for winter photos, and it was oh so worth it! We also loved having Elle by our side second shooting on this winter wedding day, too.

Then, we traveled to the ceremony to make things official! Holly and Kolton shared a wedding ceremony at a small town, cozy church where their grandmas were the flower girls. It was the most perfect little winter wedding spot we could have imagined for them after coronavirus wedding changes. Even when things feel out of control and unknown, it all works out. Holly and Kolton are a testament to that and knew they wanted to get married on January 2nd no matter what – I love that!

After the ceremony came the big reveal… The Longbranch becoming a WEDDING VENUE! I don’t think anyone had ever set foot into The Longbranch with it looking like a sophisticated wedding reception space. Holly and Kolton knocked it out of the park! I also love that things worked out for their wedding reception to take place here because it’s a place that is so special to these two. Holly told me this – “it is more than a restaurant, it is a place that holds so many memories and the people there are like family” – and it couldn’t be more true. They’ve made countless memories at The Longbranch over the years, so it only seemed fitting they made countless wedding memories there, too!

At the end of the day, Kyle and I loved documenting this wedding day. From the snowy scenery to the classy gold and black color palette to the amazing people and couple in love… It was such a perfect day for Holly and Kolton!

Holly + Kolton – Thank you for trusting us to document your wedding day! We wish you many, many happy and fun married years together!

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Holly’s Attire: Pronovias at Elite Bridal – Champaign, IL | Kolton’s Attire: Bliss Bridal & Prom – Bourbonnais, IL | Wedding Party Attire: Morilee + Bliss Bridal & Prom | Hair: Priscilla Bohne at Vibe Salon – Manteno, IL | Makeup: Jennifer Jensen & Kaila Gigl | Jeweler: Michael M Collection & Jared | Getting Ready Location: Frake Farms | Ceremony: The United Church of Christ – Chebanse, IL | Wedding Officiant: Jason Shoven | Reception Venue & Catering: The Longbranch – L’Erable, IL | Florist: Karie Frake | DJ: Shaun Kelly at Spinnin Productions | Transportation: Larry Lacost | Reception Rentals: Satin Chair Event Design & Decor Rental | Photographer & Videographer: Kara Evans Photographer – Kankakee, IL | Cake: Two Whisks Bakery – Manteno, IL | Invitations + Paper Goods: Shutterfly

P.S. – Wanna read more love stories and get wedding inspiration? I love sharing more wedding days here!

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  1. […] started the year with our first wedding in January, two days into the new year. It’s funny because I recently photographed that very […]

  2. […] clients of mine! We met at the beginning of 2020, and since then I’ve taken their engagement, wedding, anniversary, and family photos. They’re always cheering on this small business & sharing […]

  3. […] the Koch family! You probably recognize Holly and Kolton from their engagement, wedding, and anniversary photos that I’ve shared on the blog over the past few years. They welcomed […]

  4. […] session! I met her parents in 2021 when they were a bridesmaid and groomsmen at my friends Holly and Kolton’s wedding. This was also in the days before their friend group started quickly growing with […]

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Chicagoland wedding & family photographer based in Kankakee, Illinois

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